Muslim parties to back UDF

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: The United Democratic Front UDF leadership has got a psychological boost with all the three political outfi...

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: The United Democratic Front UDF leadership has got a psychological boost with all the three political outfits of the Muslim community 8212; IUML which is already in the Front, the Progressive Democratic Party PDP and Indian National League 8212; deciding to throw in their weight behind the UDF in the coming Parliamentary elections.

The belated decision of the PDP to support the UDF came as a pleasant surprise to the Front leaders as the PDP had been holding the Congress singularly responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. In fact, the PDP itself was the creation of the rising resentment, among a section of the Muslim community, against Hindu fundamentalists who demolished the Babri Masjid and the Congress, whose Government at the Centre had failed to prevent the demolition.

The decision of PDP and Indian National League to opt out of the fray was forced by the sorry state of affairs prevailing in these organisations. The PDP which came to the political scene in theState with a bang in the early nineties by its impressive performance in the temple-city of Guruvayoor and Thirurangadi by-elections had contested ten and two seats respectively in the 1996 and 1998 elections. This time, it had originally announced its decision to contest in 12 constituencies and to support like-minded candidates in the rest.

But, this decision was suddenly reversed by the party leadership at the direction of its chairman, Abdul Nasar Madhani, presently under detention in Salem Central Jail. The official explanation is that Madhani wanted his party to support the Congress in the general election to prevent BJP from coming to power.

However, the question remains as to why the Progressive Democratic Party made a volte face after announcing the 12 constituencies from which it proposed to contest.

The reason is not far to seek. After Madhani8217;s detention, the party is in a shambles. A big chunk of its demoralised cadres deserted the party and the organisational network built by Madhanifaces disintegration.

The party circles know for sure that the prospects of political resurrection of Madhani would be bleak if a Bharatiya Janata Party Government is voted back to power at the Centre.